back bench

noun

1. any of the rows of seats occupied by the backbenchers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of back bench¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

They were relegated to the back bench during Trump's first term and spent most of their time tilting at windmills because Trump was happily spending like the treasury was his own credit line at Deutsche Bank.

Read more on Salon

The new line-up has left a Lib Dem back bench comprising 39 MPs - more than twice the size of the party's representation in Parliament before July's general election, when they had 15 MPs.

Read more on BBC

Other potential vice presidential picks including Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear have also gone on the offensive, something Buttigieg himself pointed out, rejoicing in how the number of new voices underlines the strength of the Democratic back bench.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Inside the crowded courtroom, she waited on a back bench for hours, watching people charged with drug crimes and drunken driving draw harsher sentences.

Read more on Washington Times

Unless Republicans all throw up their hands and decide to vote for one of the Insurrectionist 20's obscure back bench alternatives like Florida Rep. Byron Donalds or Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern, it's hard to imagine anyone else wanting the job at this point.

Read more on Salon